In 2001 the Guild began presenting many of its programs in association with the Nation's Capital branch of the English-Speaking Union. That organization was headquartered for a time in the Washington Club on Dupont Circle. Meanwhile, for its New York events, the Guild began a transition from the Algonquin Hotel in Midtown to another venerable institution, the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park.

One of our first events in D.C. was a delightful conversation with one of the most popular actors at The Shakespeare Theatre, David Sabin, in March of 2001. A summer highlight was a gathering with celebrated actor Michael York, a gathering that was covered by the Washington Post. In September we arranged for a memorable conversation between NPR's Linda Wertheimer and actress Jean Stapleton, best known as Edith Bunker on All in the Family. In November we spoke with British statesman Roy Jenkins (in a program covered by C-SPAN) and with CNN journalist Bill Press, and in December we arranged for the first American edition of a venerable BBC program, Any Questions? Host Jonathan Dimbleby revisited the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor as he and his panel discussed a more recent attack on U.S. territory.

In May, meanwhile, the Guild brought its first SPEAKING OF SHAKESPEARE dialogue to the National Arts Club. an institution that was destined to become its primary venue in Manhattan. Fittingly, our guest for this gathering was John Miller, a writer and producer who had hosted a 1988 interview with Sir John Gielgud for the BBC and PBS.